A Cathartic, er Dogthartic Entry: November 21, 2010
Great Uncle Carter was the first of our dog family, now spanning 42 years. Carter, named for Carter Stanley, the bluegrass musician, had an affinity for the mailman and meter reader, and more than once he broke out through storm doors in Buffalo leaving me in bare feet to deal with the broken glass. He was a real liability.
When I found Ralph, a half starved freezing cold nearly hairless Irish setter, and brought him home, we found that he was indeed a canine of the ‘60s: he had hallucinogenic dreams and thought he could fly, from second story windows. He and Carter made great barking music together.
Next was a biter, Celeste, and we had to hide her from the front door because she would great visitors with a cute expression and wagging tail, and then chomp. Celeste was named for Queen Celeste in the Babar books, but she wasn’t regal at all.
She was followed by Porter (Wagoner) and Dolly (Parton), another stray. Porter liked to break out through the front door, and it was said that he was the creator of a cute litter of puppies in the next neighborhood. Dolly was a lovely golden with a wonderful personality, but poor dog, she suffered from seizures her whole life with us.
It was in summer of 1999 that we found Lester (Flatt) in Davidson Country (home of the infamous Sheriff Hege, of the pink jails). A wise friend told us to pick a pup from the litter with a laid back personality, and not the friendliest and most aggressive one. North Carolina summers are hot, and Lester, 6 week old pup that he was, was sleeping in a cinderblock. Literally, in the hole. We knew he had to be ours.
As a youngster, Lester loved Shark, our grand dog who often came to visit. Lester would try to clamp onto Shark’s chocolate lab side, much to our chagrin. We took Lester to obedience school, where he was trained with a very well behaved pit bull. Lester would attack the pit bull with great energy, while I hid my eyes and my heart pounded! After I got over my fear of this strange training, I realized that teaching Lester not to jump was hopeless.
And jump he did, mostly into his beloved swimming pool, as many times in a day as we would throw the ball. Lester and Earl lived to swim. They would let the grandes climb on their backs and travel, like dolphins, to the other end of the pool. Over and over and over.
A very young Vivi and Lester, engaged in a ball game
Swimming with dogs
Tennis, anyone?
Pearly gates are calling
Lester at his best
We knew as summer waned that Lester was hurting, but as long as he could swim, he was enthusiastic. How we dreaded autumn!
If you go back in this blog to last February, I wrote the love story of Lester and Earl (the girl).
November is a cruel month. Yesterday, after 11 and a half years of energy, bliss and joy, Lester left this earth, but only after surveying his yard one more time and his beloved swimming pool.
Winter has struck this household early.
Cindy, such wonderful sweet memories & beautiful images of Lester. I have tears as I read this knowing how much your heart hurts right now. Hold on to the love and joy that filled both your lives during your years together. Love you!
~Donna
deatonphoto@gmail.com
November 21, 2010 at 11:36 am
What a wonderful story and memories of your beloved Lester…such a great tribute so a great dong. I feel fortunate to have met Lester last month, even if it wasn’t at his best, I knew there was gentleness and great devotion in him and a sweet tenderness that was the best trait you could ask for…your loss is painful, but the memories will hopefully remind you of the great times you all had and the love for one another!!
Terri
Terri
November 21, 2010 at 4:10 pm
That got me teary, but with the certainty that in my next life, I would like to come back as Lester. Nice to know that I would have a fun mom and dad that take awesome photos of me and play music to me while I go for my daily swims (in my own pool). Let’s not forget that I would be living with my best friend and having lots of kids to run and play with. I would not be lacking in great food, lots of love and attention. I hear Lester got some fabulous gourmet meals. What awesome photos and a teary-sweet tribute to memorialize him. Lester must have been one cool dude. He was so cute, and he truly scored big the dchose one another. We will certainly toast Lester and all of you today. Love, love from Stopyraville
Shugah
November 21, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Howling at the full moon tonight Lester in pure joy now…
David
November 21, 2010 at 6:45 pm
Such a wonderful tribute to Lester. Thank you for sharing some of his story and pictures. I know your heart aches and mine aches for you. Cherished memories…love lasts!
Mary
Mary
November 21, 2010 at 9:01 pm
Well, you did your cathartic blog post up right! I bet it’s a little easier mix some laughter with the tears, now!
lightdance
November 21, 2010 at 10:02 pm
I’m smiling through my tears this morning as I read your wonderful tribute to Lester. My heart aches for your loss and at the same time soars from the joy Lester brought to your lives. Earl must be lost wondering where he has gone.
Susan
November 22, 2010 at 8:29 am
OK, now the tears are flowing here in Atlanta. sniff…
What a beautiful story, Cindy, and yes dogs are just about the most wonderful of all of God’s creatures!! Thanks for sharing Lester with us.
Marti Jeffers
November 22, 2010 at 11:26 am
I marvel at the chance of so much love shared by all of your puppies! They bring and teach us so much. I hurt with you but am glad Lester no longer suffers. What a lovely celebration of our furry friends. The photos are spectacular and the memory of Lester, as well as so many others, will live as we carry it with us always. My heart goes out to you, Billy, and Earl.
joy kontos
November 22, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Cindy,
I feel your pain so intensely. Thank you for sharing your news and Lester’s story in words as well as wonderful pictures! Will be thinking of you guys as you grieve the loss and cherish the memories!
Mary
November 22, 2010 at 3:25 pm
Cindy, I am sitting here, crying like a baby. I’m so sorry.
Judi
Judi carter
November 22, 2010 at 5:21 pm
We are so, so sorry to hear this sad news.
I am glad to have had the chance to meet Lester…may he come to you in dreams as our past best doggie friends do to me. Your lovely pictures are a fabulous tribute.
Dru and Al
Dru
November 22, 2010 at 10:16 pm